Mandibular Gland - Anatomy & Physiology

()Map ALIMENTARY SYSTEM (Map) MAJOR SALIVARY GLANDS

Mandibular Salivary Gland

Mandibular Salivary Gland - Copyright Nottingham 2008

• Mixed gland - serous and mucous secretion

• Merocrine secretion

• Generally smaller than the parotid gland

• It is a moderately large gland in carnivores

• It is a large gland in herbivores

• Compact

• Located around angle of jaw

• Mandibular duct runs ventral to mucous membrane of floor of oral cavity, close to frenulum of tongue

• Duct opens at sublingual caruncle

• Innervated by facial nerve (CN VII) via chordi tympanii of trigeminal (CN V)

Histology

• Tubulo-acinar gland

• Mucous cells (stain lighter)

• Serous demilunes (stain darker)

• Demilunes secrete into lumen by canaliculi between mucous cells

Species Differences

Carnivores

• Mainly mucous secretion in dog and cat

• Oval shape in canid

Herbivores

• Larger and deeper